Just For Fun

Earlier this week I got a really interesting email from a reader (Hi, Aimee!) about something I’ve thought about many times myself…

Hi Karen,

Greetings from a long-time reader, first-time commenter/emailer! I discovered your blog when I first started using makeup during my undergrad a few years ago. Virtually none of the women in my life are into makeup, so you’re like the makeup-loving aunt that I wish I had 🙂 I love that you make cosmetics something very fun, and I’ve also learned a ton along the way.

I’ve got one small problem/dilemma though, and I’m wondering if you could help me with it/offer some advice? I’ve now got…a sizeable collection (not by blogger standards, but more than most girls have, I’d say), and I’ve also discovered the value in investing in higher-end/more expensive products that will really deliver, or that just make me happy. Unfortunately, I feel a little ashamed of my (relatively) huge stash. It’s also composed of far more higher-end/expensive items (to put this in context, one of my best friends feels that MAC is absurdly priced, while I’ve definitely got a fair amount from NARS, MUFE, Benefit, etc.).

I guess what I’m saying is: how do you handle any pressure/judgment you get/feel from others about your makeup stash — its size, how expensive/high-end its contents are, etc. I love makeup for its creative side, and as a tool to empower me…but am afraid to ever show my full stash to the ladies in my life for fear of judgment. And as embarrassing as it is, this is kind of affecting my life (I never leave anything out on my counter, most of my makeup is hidden in drawers which makes accessing it a pain, and if someone wants to come into my room, I make sure I’ve got my stuff tucked away first).

I’m sure part of this has to come from me, but if you have any words of advice at all, I’d appreciate it a ton. This is the one thorn in my makeup-loving side.

Thanks for reading, I know you must get a ton of messages!

Much love,

Aimee

Hi Aimee,

Greetings right back ‘atcha from sunny (today) Marin County, California! Thank you for visiting the blog and being a reader all these years. It means a lot to me, and I am honored to be the makeup-loving aunt you never had. 🙂

You pose a fascinating question. I know exactly how you feel. Not that El Hub gets (very) cranky about my collection, except when he’s tripping over boxes or sitting on makeup pans. Sometimes I’ll hear a creative string of curses coming from the shower after a loud crash as 15 bottles of shampoo and conditioner rain down on top of him (haha!), or he’ll ask, “Babe, do you REALLY need another pink lipstick?” when he sees me with that rabid look in my eyes at a MAC counter, but other than little things like that, he couldn’t care less.

But I do experience what you described sometimes with friends. Like sometimes when my pal Cindy (who’s anti-makeup and recoils whenever I threaten her with lip gloss) comes over, she’ll say something mildly snarky like, “I’ll never understand why you need so many eyeshadows,” or “Why does it take you SO LONG to get ready?” or “Wow…that’s a lot of brushes.”

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You might be wondering, “So what the heck is this Monday Poll thing anyway?”

Well, it isn’t much of a poll. It’s more just a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past five years. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

1. Which makeup brush do you use the most?
   The MAC 217 Blending Brush, which I love like Buzz Lightyear (to infinity and beyond!!).

2. Three convenient products it helps to have in your purse?
   Cat treats, a really great pen and ponytail holders.

3. Three favorite languages to hear spoken?
   Tagalog (it reminds me of my parents and home), French and Italian.

4. About how many times have you painted your nails this month?
   It’s still early in the month…so three.

5. Best eyeshadow primer?
   It’s a tossup between NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base and MAC Painterly.

6. Have you ever worn an updo?
   Yup! They’re perfect for formal occasions like weddings.

7. Are you happy with your brows?
   Grrr… Yes and no. Yes because they’re finally starting to grow out (I’ve been trying to grow them out lately), but no because “Raul,” the bald spot on my left brow, is still harassing me.

8. Best moisturizing makeup product?
   Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector! It’s so great!

9. Have you ever lost your keys/purse/phone?
   No, no and no (knocks on wood).

   I lose jewelry left and right, which is the main reason I mostly stick to costume pieces, but so far I’ve managed to avoid losing the other stuff.

10. Most unusual thing in your purse right now?
    A pair of heart-shaped neon sunglasses I got from Target a while back.

Now it’s your turn. Just copy and paste the following questions into a comment with your answers. I look forward to reading ’em! 🙂

1. Which makeup brush do you use the most?
2. Three convenient products it helps to have in your purse?
3. Three favorite languages to hear spoken?
4. About how many times have you painted your nails this month?
5. Best eyeshadow primer?
6. Have you ever worn an updo?
7. Are you happy with your brows?
8. Best moisturizing makeup product?
9. Have you ever lost your keys/purse/phone?
10. Most unusual thing in your purse right now?

I wanted to tell you about this really interesting book I started reading the other day called Manage Your Day-to-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus & Sharpen Your Creative Mind (find it here). I found it through a website I like called 99U, which has great self-helpy articles on fostering your creativity and achieving personal goals.

The book has this to say about the building blocks of a great daily routine:

“Start with the rhythm of your energy levels. Certain times of day are especially conducive to focussed creativity, thanks to circadian rhythms of arousal and mental alertness. Notice when you seem to have the most energy during the day, and dedicate those valuable periods to your most important creative work.”

And…

“The single most important change you can make in your working habits is to switch to creative work first, reactive work second. This means blocking off a large chunk of time every day for creative work on your own priorities, with the phone and e-mail off. By definition, this approach goes against the grain of others’ expectations and the pressures they put on you. It will take willpower to switch off the world, even for an hour. It feels uncomfortable, and sometimes people get upset. But it’s better to disappoint a few people over small things, than to surrender your dreams for an empty inbox.”

And many more really inspiring tips and testimonials from successful creative people. Highly recommended if you’re looking for a creativity boost.

Have a wonderful day and a spectacular week, my friend. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Would you go shorter, longer, a few shades darker or lighter, get bangs or go with a bob? Would you dive headlong into beachy waves or opt for something straight?

If I could wake up tomorrow morning with a head of dream hair, I’d definitely want something long (past my shoulders) that I could just wash and wear.

I’ve always been envious of friends who could just hop in the shower, run a comb through their hair, and walk out the door lookin’ like a freaking Pantene commercial because, yeah, I’ve just never been able to do that.

Even for a low maintenance look, with my current style, I still feel like I have to use product and blow dry my bangs, at the very least. So for me, I’d want easy, shiny, long and slightly wavy (with no funny business down there at the ends).

I don’t want to have to do anything with it at all. 🙂 Seriously, laziness is key here.

Oh, and while we’re at it, can we do something about my roots?? Everyone in my family goes gray early, le sigh.

A TIP TO ROOT FOR: Because I’m way overdue getting my roots done, I’ve been doing some creative things to hide ’em, like wearing my bangs up in a poof and pulling the rest of my hair back in a ponytail. It hides the roots well, and I can bang it out in less than five minutes.

As for color, I’d go one or two shades lighter than natural. I like it when my hair is dark, but when it’s a couple shades lighter than natural, I feel like it brightens my overall look a little bit more.

Let’s talk hair, babes. If you could wake up tomorrow morning with a head of dream hair, how would it look (and it’s perfectly okay to say you have your dream hair now)?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S.